I woke up this morning and found the house entirely wrapped in fog. If you stood in front of the window in the kitchen, where I stand to make my coffee, you could watch it blow up the street in gusts – sometimes wisps, sometimes great puffs. I called Brandon over to see it when he woke up, and even half asleep, he managed a moderately enthusiastic WOW, which surprised me. The fog horns were blowing. And now, a couple of hours on, the sun is out, searing through it, working its way steadily across the floor.

I could talk about the weather all day. I am turning into an old man. The dog does his morning walk of the deck, securing the perimeter. Everyone has a job to do.

Last week, I was out of town, traveling with my mom. I took her as my date to a friend’s wedding, a wedding to beat all weddings, where the groom’s father played air guitar and I got to watch my mother, my near-retirement-age mother, break it down to “Empire State of Mind.” I’m still coming down from that. I shot eight rolls of film in nine days. When I have pictures, I promise to tell you about it.

In the meantime, I wanted to share some great things I’ve found lately. I really love gathering these for you, all the bits that stick in my head. Maybe they will stick in yours.

– My mom and I rented a car and drove about 1200 miles over the course of our trip. In the hopes that we would have a CD player, I burned a couple of albums before we left, and the one we listened to most often was Neko Case’s Middle Cyclone. It’s been out for about two years, but it took me a long time to fall for it. Now it’s thoroughly won me over. Especially the eighth track, “Fever.” The lyrics are sinister, but the sound feels so… sexy. Not that I make a habit of listening to sexy music with my mother. In any case, from now on, I think that album will always remind me of our trip, and I like that.

– I always love Tommy’s blog This is Naive, but she’s really been pushing the right buttons for me lately. I especially like this post. I love the way she sees.

– Soap from Townsend Bay Soap Company, in nearby Port Townsend, Washington. Apparently, I am really into soap. I particularly like the Townsend Bay Rum scent, and the Woods of Washington scent, too. Both smell like summer vacation. Different versions of summer vacation.

– I have long admired The Art of Eating, and I’m thrilled to have a story in their current issue. I’ve learned so much about food from reading AoE. Not available online, but well worth the price of a subscription.

– Last but not least, my new (old) favorite version of the song “Summertime,” via my friend Ben. Billy Stewart! Yeow. (Correction: apparently Ben learned about this song from Brandon, who used to play sax along to it when he was in high school.)

Happy week.

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Comments

We were wrapped in dust last night which my daughter thought was fog. There definitely weren't any foghorns going off. I miss hearing those back east.What an awesome time with your mother – a memory to cherish forever! It made me smile. Thank you, Molly.

We were wrapped in dust last night which my daughter thought was fog. There definitely weren't any foghorns going off. I miss hearing those back east.What an awesome time with your mother – a memory to cherish forever! It made me smile. Thank you, Molly.

HiYou live close to Port Townsend? I love that place. Coming from the UK, I was extremely excited to visit due to the movie 'An officer and a gentlemen', filmed in it's entirety there. The pub was the same, we had breakfast at what was TJ's bar in the movie and even visited the army barracks. Memories of Richard Gere in those boots at the beginning will stay with me forever.Delyth : http://www.thedelicious.net

HiYou live close to Port Townsend? I love that place. Coming from the UK, I was extremely excited to visit due to the movie 'An officer and a gentlemen', filmed in it's entirety there. The pub was the same, we had breakfast at what was TJ's bar in the movie and even visited the army barracks. Memories of Richard Gere in those boots at the beginning will stay with me forever.Delyth : http://www.thedelicious.net

If there's one thing to stop me in my tracks while working in the kitchen (besides a fire), it would be gazing at unusual weather. A terrific list of things found! I particularly like Neko Case…thank you for sharing.

If there's one thing to stop me in my tracks while working in the kitchen (besides a fire), it would be gazing at unusual weather. A terrific list of things found! I particularly like Neko Case…thank you for sharing.

Molly, I am so delighted with your writing–you have saved my sanity today. While trying to clean up the (very) scary laundry room in preparation for its demise (we're expanding the kitchen and moving the laundry downstairs), I had to escape the mess, said a little prayer, and found your new post! Hooray! Mood boosted! I can now re-enter the packing up/cleaning up/storing up phase, all while trying to entertain the kiddos. Thank you for my little happiness break!

Molly, I am so delighted with your writing–you have saved my sanity today. While trying to clean up the (very) scary laundry room in preparation for its demise (we're expanding the kitchen and moving the laundry downstairs), I had to escape the mess, said a little prayer, and found your new post! Hooray! Mood boosted! I can now re-enter the packing up/cleaning up/storing up phase, all while trying to entertain the kiddos. Thank you for my little happiness break!

I love it when you post new things you have discovered and share it with us. Sounds like you had a great time with your mom. And since mom is my best friend, I can relate to having fun with her. I can also realte to mom getting down to some song, my mom's case was J. Timberlake “Sexy Back” during a Christmas party 2 yrs. ago. I am still trying to get over that. 🙂

I love it when you post new things you have discovered and share it with us. Sounds like you had a great time with your mom. And since mom is my best friend, I can relate to having fun with her. I can also realte to mom getting down to some song, my mom's case was J. Timberlake “Sexy Back” during a Christmas party 2 yrs. ago. I am still trying to get over that. 🙂

I used to live in Port Townsend before I moved to Alaska. Love that soap too. I have been meaning to subscrite to The Art of Eating for a long time. Thanks for giving me the motivation to finally go for it.

I used to live in Port Townsend before I moved to Alaska. Love that soap too. I have been meaning to subscrite to The Art of Eating for a long time. Thanks for giving me the motivation to finally go for it.

I come to your blog for your food writing and recipes primarily, but I've noticed your photos have been stellar lately. Absolutely love the first one with the flowers. And I'm now very excited to see your photos from Italy. Nothing like film in a foreign land. 🙂

I come to your blog for your food writing and recipes primarily, but I've noticed your photos have been stellar lately. Absolutely love the first one with the flowers. And I'm now very excited to see your photos from Italy. Nothing like film in a foreign land. 🙂

I noticed you in a picture in Luisa's first wedding post. Just made my heart sing. Following bloggers is so strange. We don't know you but we've seen you through your words and pictures….and we think we know you. I've been reading both of you since pretty much your blog beginnings. You've both been through a lot. Lots of life changes, highs and lows. But seeing you in a wedding photo of a friend….well, that is where is at. It's not virtual, it's real.

Thanks for all the sharing…the recipes, the stories, the links. As for the weather talk, it's a good thing. It means you're present where you live. An OK girl in Seattle is going to have some weather issues.

I noticed you in a picture in Luisa's first wedding post. Just made my heart sing. Following bloggers is so strange. We don't know you but we've seen you through your words and pictures….and we think we know you. I've been reading both of you since pretty much your blog beginnings. You've both been through a lot. Lots of life changes, highs and lows. But seeing you in a wedding photo of a friend….well, that is where is at. It's not virtual, it's real.

Thanks for all the sharing…the recipes, the stories, the links. As for the weather talk, it's a good thing. It means you're present where you live. An OK girl in Seattle is going to have some weather issues.

Wow- what a powerfully written article on tomato farming. It's astonishing that in this day and age conditions like that are allowed to continue in the US. Sadly the huge human and environmental cost that modern farming techniques are placing on the planet remain unchecked because the corporations who make the most money from it maintain their political power through their financial power.

I've heard of a very similar situation happening with North African immigrants in the Spanish tomato farms that feed much of Europe's non-seasonal tomato desires. Hopefully through wider publicity and concern over situations like this governments will listen up and put a stop to these appalling situations.

Wow- what a powerfully written article on tomato farming. It's astonishing that in this day and age conditions like that are allowed to continue in the US. Sadly the huge human and environmental cost that modern farming techniques are placing on the planet remain unchecked because the corporations who make the most money from it maintain their political power through their financial power.

I've heard of a very similar situation happening with North African immigrants in the Spanish tomato farms that feed much of Europe's non-seasonal tomato desires. Hopefully through wider publicity and concern over situations like this governments will listen up and put a stop to these appalling situations.

estabrook is indeed a treasure. i live in south florida and navigating the world of tomatoes/produce grown down here has been difficult. the main grocery chain down here has dealt with the tomato issue terribly – denying any slavery in the fields and taking no responsibility for what their producers do or don't do. thanks for telling more people about his work.

estabrook is indeed a treasure. i live in south florida and navigating the world of tomatoes/produce grown down here has been difficult. the main grocery chain down here has dealt with the tomato issue terribly – denying any slavery in the fields and taking no responsibility for what their producers do or don't do. thanks for telling more people about his work.

I heard those foghorns down toward Shilshole yesterday, but it was sunny up here on the hill. I thought maybe one was malfunctioning! But this morning, to me, is just glorious. It's much cooler (and was SO much easier to sleep last night), but warm enough to enjoy my cup of tea outside in a T-shirt. Call me a native, but days like this are the reason I live in northwest Washington.

I heard those foghorns down toward Shilshole yesterday, but it was sunny up here on the hill. I thought maybe one was malfunctioning! But this morning, to me, is just glorious. It's much cooler (and was SO much easier to sleep last night), but warm enough to enjoy my cup of tea outside in a T-shirt. Call me a native, but days like this are the reason I live in northwest Washington.

I just saw Neko Case last Friday night at the Mountain Winery in Saratoga (CA). Such an amazing show! And she played “Fever.” I love that album, and all her others as well. I really enjoy your blog…thanks!

I just saw Neko Case last Friday night at the Mountain Winery in Saratoga (CA). Such an amazing show! And she played “Fever.” I love that album, and all her others as well. I really enjoy your blog…thanks!

Hi Molly,After listening to Neko Case (thanks for the recommendation), I think you would very much enjoy Martha Wainwright's eponymous album. The style is similar (though more folk), the poetry is great and the voice equally entrancing.Love your blog. Have made Pimm's cup today, got rave reviews.

Hi Molly,After listening to Neko Case (thanks for the recommendation), I think you would very much enjoy Martha Wainwright's eponymous album. The style is similar (though more folk), the poetry is great and the voice equally entrancing.Love your blog. Have made Pimm's cup today, got rave reviews.

I love, love, love Barry Estabrook as well. I was so sad when Gourmet magazine folded, not least of which was I was going to miss his writing. I am glad to find that he has a website and is continuing his important writing.

I love, love, love Barry Estabrook as well. I was so sad when Gourmet magazine folded, not least of which was I was going to miss his writing. I am glad to find that he has a website and is continuing his important writing.

The fog reminds me of growing up in South San Francisco. Except for the part about the sun burning through.

Middle Cyclone is on of my favorite albums of the past five years. I just can't get enough of it. The latest New Pornographers album is equally fantastic. All Songs Considered has a Neko Case concert that you can listen to online (http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=5325695). The thing I really love about this is hearing how much fun everyone is having. You should really listen to it. I'll be happy to send you a CD of the conert if that will make it easier for you.

The fog reminds me of growing up in South San Francisco. Except for the part about the sun burning through.

Middle Cyclone is on of my favorite albums of the past five years. I just can't get enough of it. The latest New Pornographers album is equally fantastic. All Songs Considered has a Neko Case concert that you can listen to online (http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=5325695). The thing I really love about this is hearing how much fun everyone is having. You should really listen to it. I'll be happy to send you a CD of the conert if that will make it easier for you.

I'm from Port Townsend, I've been reading your blog for a couple of years and I went to your book signing at Idlewild in NY City in 2009. I've also been to Delancey and I hope to go again soon. I'm so glad you've been to my town!. In case you haven't already you should check out Mt. Townsend Creamery next time you come to PT, they have some really great cheese.

I'm from Port Townsend, I've been reading your blog for a couple of years and I went to your book signing at Idlewild in NY City in 2009. I've also been to Delancey and I hope to go again soon. I'm so glad you've been to my town!. In case you haven't already you should check out Mt. Townsend Creamery next time you come to PT, they have some really great cheese.

I just wanted to jump in with the most embarrassing comment ever. I love what you do with real food but your review of Molly McButter on the podcast is the biggest way you are impacting my life lately. I recently was surprised with open heart surgery to correct a congenital heart defect and had been missing butter like crazy! Thanks to the two Mollys I am missing it less lately, so THANKS!! 🙂

I just wanted to jump in with the most embarrassing comment ever. I love what you do with real food but your review of Molly McButter on the podcast is the biggest way you are impacting my life lately. I recently was surprised with open heart surgery to correct a congenital heart defect and had been missing butter like crazy! Thanks to the two Mollys I am missing it less lately, so THANKS!! 🙂